Plasma

What is Plasma?

Plasma is an ionized gas – the fourth state of matter. Plasma forms when gases are extremely energized, typically due to extreme heat and temperature. Plasma occurs naturally – our sun and all stars are made out of plasma! This means that plasma is not rare at all – most visible matter in the universe is in the plasma state. On earth, plasma naturally occurs as lightning, and can also be artificially created using electricity to energize a gas.

When applied to human skin, the various components of cold plasma work together to simultaneously activate and promote the body’s healing processes while killing or disabling bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Disinfection

Cold plasma is able to kill or disable bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including antibiotic resistant strains.

• Ions and electrons bombard the skin surface and break hydrogen bonds of organic molecules, such as those forming cellular membranes of bacteria and viruses. Electrons have the highest penetration depth and can penetrate through wet layers on the skin. Elections also react with water to create reactive oxygen species which kill microorganisms. Ions also dissolve into the water making it more acidic and inhospitable.
• Reactive oxygen species are oxygen atoms and chemically active molecules containing oxygen in ground or excited states, as well as their ions. Hydroxyl radicals (OH) react very quickly with organic molecules removing hydrogen atoms and producing alkyl radicals, which rapidly oxidize in air. They destroy the capsules and cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which leads to cell death. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a strong disinfectant that can penetrate into the bacterial cell nucleus, where it can damage the DNA molecules and killing the cell. Ozone (O₃) is a powerful oxidant that destroys the cell walls.
• Reactive nitrogen species such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), peroxynitrite anion (ONOO⁻), nitrous acid (HNO₂) are less reactive compared to the oxygen species, but they can also penetrate into tissues and have an anti-microbial effect.
• Ultraviolet radiation is very effective at disinfecting. It damages DNA and inhibits bacterial replication. However, the Mirari device does not produce significant levels of UV radiation as excess UV radiation is harmful to human skin.
• Heat and visible light are created in small amounts. Although they are the only components that humans can directly experience, they do not have a significant medical effect on the skin.
• Electromagnetic radiation is produced by all electronic devices. It is harmless byproduct that has no medical effect.

Activation of Natural Healing

Beyond disinfecting skin, cold plasma also promotes the body’s natural healing mechanisms helping to regenerate tissue and promote healthy skin. Cold plasma has positive effects on:

• Scab formation is sped up after an application of cold plasma
• Tissue regeneration is stimulated by the reactive nitrogen species
• Anti-inflammation – cold plasma has an anti-inflammatory effect
• Collagen remodeling effects reducing scars
• pH modulation of the skin – the outer layer of human skin has an acidic protective film that protects skin from drying. Ions in cold plasma help lower the pH of the skin. This relieves atopic dermatitis and promotes an environment suitable for healthy skin
• Reduced sebum production which significantly reduces acne